Background: Causes of infant death remain unknown in significant proportions of human and non-human primate pregnancies.
Methods: A closed breeding colony with high rates of infant mortality had pregnancies assessed (n=153) by fetal measurements and maternal characteristics. Infant outcome was classified as neonatal death (stillborn or died <48 hours from birth), postnatal death (died 2-30 days) or surviving (alive after 30 days).
Results: Fetal size did not predict outcome. Poor maternal glycemic control and low social ranking increased odds for adverse outcome (OR=3.72, P=0.01 and 2.27, P=0.04, respectively). Male sex was over-represented in stillbirths (P=0.04), and many were macrosomic, but size did not associate with maternal glycemic control measured as glycated hemoglobin A1c. Postnatally dead infants were smaller (P<0.01), which associated with behavioral factors and glycemic control.
Conclusions: Fetal growth estimates predicted gestational age but not fetal outcome. Maternal social status and metabolic health, particularly glycemic control, increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcome.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.